Influence of gestogenic contraceptive pills on vaginal candidosis.

An analysis of 13 articles indicates that there is probably a causal relationship between the use of gestogenic contraceptive pills and the development of vaginal candidosis. This association is supported by recent experimental work indicating alteration in glucose metabolism and in vaginal pH in women taking contraceptive pills. Incidence of vaginal candidosis is increasing in many countries with the ratio of Trichmonas vaginalis to Candida albicans in women with genital symptoms decreasing from 2:1 in 1965 to 1:3 in 1969 and in women with vaginal discharge from 3:1 in 1965 to 1:2 in 1969. This finding with an analysis of causative factors among 200 women complaining of vaginal candidosis suggests that oral contraceptive pills are now the most common cause of the condition.